More than 18,000 from 15 countries vote for $1,000 Blueberry Ambassador prize

FLINT, MI – One of the biggest online polls in the history of The Flint Journal is over.

More than 18,000 votes from 15 countries ranging from Ireland to Japan were cast in our contest for the best student Blueberry Ambassador in Genesee County, with supporters of 10 schools throughout Genesee County weighing in on which school performed the best random acts of kindness through the student Blueberry Ambassador program.The winner will be revealed May 20.

The competition was fierce with back and forth lead changes and more than 3,400 votes alone on the final day of voting Monday, May 12.

“It really validates the acceptance of the Blueberry Ambassador program,” said Phil Shaltz, founder of the I'm Concerned About The Blueberries. “Virtually 100 kids went out and did literally hundreds of blueberry moments. I think we’re starting to change their DNA maybe just a little bit to reach out and help others.”

The student Blueberry Ambassador program included 10 schools, each of which typically included 10 volunteer ambassadors who pledged to perform random acts of kindness as well as write about their effort and what they learned.

The program was an offshoot of an effort that started in October when Shaltz used a billboard saying “I’m concerned about the blueberries” to send a message that all of us have the power to make our community a little bit better. The Flint Journal partnered with Shaltz to promote the idea and share these stories of good happening in the community.

The school with the most votes in the MLive poll will win the Readers’ Choice Award and a $1,000 prize provided by Shaltz. A second $500 Founder’s Award also will be given to the school with the best individual effort.

Tammy Trombley, a teacher at Gates Elementary in Davison, said the Blueberry program has been special for her students. When one of her students was nominated by classmates to be a student Blueberry Ambassador because of all he does for others, Trombley said the student had tears in his eyes.

“He said ‘I didn’t think anyone noticed,’” said Trombley.

Trombley said her students also drew inspiration from deeds by students at other schools in the contest particularly Scott Elementary in Flint, where students did everything from give their Christmas gifts to others and donate stuffed animals to a child after a fire.

“They dug in their hearts to give to someone else,” said Trombley. “That’s what I really try to teach my kids – it’s the intention behind the giving.”

In addition to Gates and Scott, Bentley Schools, Carman-Ainsworth High School, Flint Northwestern and Flint Southwestern high schools, Genesee Junior/Senior High School, Grand Blanc West Middle School, Hahn Intermediate in Davison and Mt. Morris EA Johnson High School took part in the contest.